ST. LOUIS, MO--(Marketwired - August 01, 2016) - Berryville, Ark., is the latest office addition for the St. Louis-based investment firm Benjamin F. Edwards & Co., company officials announced today. The Berryville location is the firm's second in "The Natural State." In addition, the company announced two advisors joined its existing office in Sarasota, Fla., while the firm also added one advisor to each of its Edwardsville, Ill.; Wheaton, Ill.; Mandeville, La.; and Portland, Ore. offices.

Collectively, the seven new advisors represent $675 million in assets under management. With the new office in Arkansas, the firm now has 55 offices and a presence in 25 states.

"We've added a talented group of individuals who share our client-first approach and are eager to leverage our service-oriented culture, as well as our extensive line up of products and services as they work with their clients," said Benjamin F. Edwards IV, founder, CEO and president of Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. "More importantly, our client-centric culture puts the advisor squarely in the driver's seat to manage their client relationships as they see fit."

Joining the firm are the following (by location):

Berryville, Ark.Allen C. Rogers, Vice President - Investments: Rogers brings with him over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, and concentrates on financial planning strategies. He transfers from Wells Fargo Advisors.

Making the move with Rogers is LeeAnn Ashford, who joins as a senior registered financial associate and will assist with client service responsibilities.

Greg Hicks, CRPC®, Vice President - Investments: Hicks has worked in the financial services industry since 1987 and specializes in advisory portfolio services, business owner services and estate planning strategies. He earned his CHARTERED RETIREMENT PLANNING COUNSELOR™ designation in 2011 from the College for Financial Planning. He transfers from Merrill Lynch.

With the latest additions, total employment in the Sarasota office is six, including four financial advisors. The Sarasota office opened in 2015.

Edwardsville, Ill.Bradley S. Joiner, Financial Consultant: Joiner is a 43-year financial services veteran, and concentrates on estate planning and small business owners strategies. In 1983, he earned his CHARTERD LIFE UNDERWRITER™ certification from the College for Financial Planning. He too transfers from Merrill Lynch.

The Edwardsville office, which opened in 2013, now employs a total of three, including two financial advisors.

In addition, the firm announced the hiring of Sheryl Aubry, who will serve Larrabee as a senior financial associate will assist him with client service responsibilities.

The Wheaton office, which opened in 2010, now employs a total of 14, including eight financial advisors.

Mandeville, La.F. Kirby Newburger, CFP®, Senior Vice President - Investments: Newburger is a 32-year financial services veteran, and concentrates on portfolio management. In 2009, he earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification from the College for Financial Planning. He transfers from Raymond James.

The Mandeville office opened in 2013 and now employs a total of eight, including seven financial advisors.

Portland, Ore.Steve R. Potter, Associate Vice President - Investments: Potter began his financial services career in 2000 and focuses on retirement planning and asset allocation strategies. Previously, he worked for 20 years in a marketing role in the utility industry. He too transfers from Stifel.

The Portland office, which opened in 2014, now employs a total of four, including three financial advisors.

About Benjamin F. Edwards & Co.

With a tagline of "Investments for Generations", Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. is headquartered in St. Louis, Mo. The firm was founded in 2008 by Benjamin F. (Tad) Edwards IV and currently has 55 branch offices in 25 states and more than 450 employees.

A subsidiary of Benjamin Edwards, Inc., Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. is a full-service brokerage and a Registered Investment Adviser, which offers a wide array of financial products, advisory and investment banking services to its clients and financial advisors. For more information about Benjamin F. Edwards & Co., please visit the firm's corporate website, benjaminfedwards.com, GetInAtBenEdwards.com for advisors, or follow the company on Twitter.com/GrowWithBFEC.